Understanding 19th Century Realism and Naturalism

Realism in 19th Century Literature

Realism emerged in Europe during the nineteenth century as a response to significant social and economic changes.

During this period, the bourgeoisie became the ruling class, while workers began to organize to demand better working and social conditions. This shift fostered a more realistic literature, as Romanticism failed to address these new social realities. Authors soon adopted an objective view of the world.

Realists viewed the novel as the most suitable genre for their purposes, as it could represent society in a truthful manner. Since their readers were primarily bourgeois, authors focused heavily on that social class.

Realist writers were heavily influenced by two philosophical currents: empiricism and positivism, both of which emphasized knowledge derived from observation.

The formulation of Darwin's theories, Mendel's laws of heredity, and medical advancements influenced the evolution of Realism in the late nineteenth century, leading to a new movement: Naturalism.

Naturalism: Definition and Origins

Naturalism is an artistic and literary style based on reproducing reality with documentary objectivity in all its aspects, from the sublime to the vulgar.

Its creator was Émile Zola in France.

Naturalism posits that humans lack free will, as they are determined by heredity and the environment in which they live.

Key Differences Between Realism and Naturalism

• Focus: Realism is descriptive and reflects the interests of the bourgeoisie. Naturalism extends its scope to the lower classes.
• Purpose: Naturalism attempts to explain the root of social problems through a materialistic lens to provide profound social criticism.
• Philosophy: While bourgeois individualism in Realism is often optimistic and liberal, Naturalism is pessimistic and atheistic.
• Determinism: Naturalism asserts that it is impossible to escape the social conditions that dictate our path in life.